b'PROFESSIONAL PROFILEwithout sacrificing your professional ambitions or your humanity. She was named one of the 100 Most PowerfulBULLISH ON A NAMEWomen in 2023, awarded CEO of the Year in 2022 by the Ontario Chamber of Commerce, and has four times beenOne of the more impactful ways CCABs president and CEO Tabatha Bull named a Top 100 Lobbyist.is leading CCAB into the future is by planning a fairly major refresh of its brand and image, including its name.So its no surprise that Bull is recognized as someone who leads with strengthWere on an incredible growth trajectory, and I feel that were really at this and vision. Yet Bull is also someone whopivotal moment where we can make a big change, Bull says.leads with compassion, which makes her uniquely qualified to lead CCAB into itsCCABs nameCanadian Council for Aboriginal Businesswill be fifth decade. In the words of one of herreshaped as part of this process. This represents a colossal evolution in the peers, Nicole Bourque-Bouchier, CEOorganizations development, but in the eyes of Bull, a necessary one.and co-owner of Bouchier, Tabatha sets a powerful example, embodyingWeve been talking a lot about our namedefinitely there are questions strong female leadership, empow-ering Indigenous entrepreneurs, andabout having Aboriginal in it, Bull says. Weve moved to using creating avenues for greater genderIndigenous in all of our media and language, but its really time for us to equity and representation within thetake a look at our name.business community. She has champi-oned initiatives that break down barriers and prioritize Indigenous entrepreneur-ship, fostering sustainable growth andAnishinaabe and a member of NipissingBull took on her leadership tenure at the prosperity for generations to come. First Nation. The last five years of myorganization on the eve of the COVID-19 career before I came to CCAB werepandemic lockdownsno easy task. Yet Leading the countrys largest Indigenousspent working on energy projectseven with all the upheaval, she spear-business organization was not alwaysacross Ontario. I really loved beingheaded an extraordinary period of where Bull thought she her career wasout there, meeting with communitygrowth and evolution for the organi-headed. Prior to joining CCAB, sheand working on energy conservationzation. During the relatively short time had a successful career in the coun- in remote communities. I left because trys energy sector. After completing herthe energy landscape in Ontario wasshe has led CCAB, its membership has Bachelor of Science in electrical engi- changing. I wanted to continue to growmore than doubledfrom about 1,000 neering, she began her working life as ain my career but still work with and forto 2,300while its staff has also grown. project manager at Smith and AndersonIndigenous people. Internally were growing from a very Consulting Engineering, where she met her husband, then took on a series of progressively senior positions with IESO (Independent Electricity System Operator). In 2014, she became the manager of First Nation and Mtis rela-tions with the Ontario Power Authority, a position she also held with IESO from 2015 to 2018. Then Bull joined CCAB, initially as its chief operating officer before becoming its president and CEO in 2020. While her early career may not have appeared to be leading her toward theWilliams Communication Services not-for-profit sector, Bull always knewspecializes in Mission Critical she wanted to one day work with her own community in some way. Some ofWireless Communications. her earlier roles provided that oppor- We offer an extensive portfolio tunity, but it was CCAB that offered the perfect window to expand andof products & services meant to strengthen that role.provide fast, secure & reliable I went into engineering with the goalcommunications for your network.that I would eventually work with my own community, says Bull, who is Aboriginal BUSINESS REPORT 77'